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Tuesday night's 2–1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg means Alvaro Arbeloa has now suffered six defeats as Real Madrid head coach across just 19 matches.
The defeat to the German giants also represented Madrid's first back-to-back losses under Arbeloa's management.
Defensive errors and an inspired Manuel Neuer ultimately proved costly for Madrid at the Bernabéu. Nevertheless, Kylian Mbappe's second-half strike gives Los Blancos reason for optimism ahead of another potential memorable European comeback when they travel to Munich for the second leg next week.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Arbeloa told those who doubt the remontada to "stay in Madrid." Yet beneath the public confidence, there are growing concerns.
With their Champions League future uncertain and Madrid sitting seven points behind Barcelona in La Liga, there is a genuine possibility that Los Blancos could finish the season without silverware—something that hasn't happened since the 2020–21 campaign.
Arbeloa Overtakes Alonso for Number of Defeats
Following Tuesday's defeat, Arbeloa has now surpassed the total number of losses recorded by his predecessor Xabi Alonso this season—having managed nine fewer games.
Alonso was in charge for 28 matches as Madrid manager in 2025–26, losing five, before departing by supposed "mutual consent" on Jan. 12, the day after a 3–2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa final.
Before that, Alonso had overseen defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League group stage, along with league losses to Celta Vigo and Atlético Madrid. It is worth noting that Alonso also lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, which technically fell under the previous season.
Arbeloa, who was elevated from the B team coaching role in January to stabilize the club following Alonso's exit, may have built stronger relationships with several key players, but has struggled to turn around Madrid's results on the pitch.
Disappointing losses to Osasuna, Getafe, and Mallorca have left Los Blancos three points worse off in La Liga compared to when Alonso departed, while Tuesday's display exposed the squad's defensive vulnerabilities in stark fashion.
Why Didn't Xabi Alonso Get More Time?
Whether Alonso would have ultimately succeeded at the Bernabéu with more time at the helm remains an open question.
The 44-year-old former midfielder arrived as the most sought-after young manager in Europe last year, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool among his suitors, following his remarkable achievements at Bayer Leverkusen.
His tenure began promisingly with seven straight league wins, before a 5–2 thrashing by rivals Atlético in September. However, despite an overall win rate exceeding 70%, Alonso's style of play lost momentum toward the end of the calendar year—he managed just two victories in eight matches across all competitions between Nov. 4 and Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, high-profile players struggled to embrace his high-pressing philosophy that had defined his Leverkusen side, and the dressing room atmosphere turned sour.
Vinicius Jr. was the most prominent example, with the 25-year-old recently admitting he found it "difficult" to work under Alonso.
The Brazilian forward even threatened to leave the club amid his conflict with the head coach, most notably reacting furiously to being substituted during the Clasico victory over Barcelona in October.
"I'm leaving the team," he was heard saying as he walked directly to the dressing room.
The star player, who claimed The Best FIFA award in 2024 and reportedly earns $21 million (€18 million) per year, has since reassured supporters that his contract extension will be completed, aided by a more positive relationship with Arbeloa.
Despite his turbulent stint in Madrid, Alonso's reputation as a coach remains strong, and he has since been linked with a return to Liverpool, where he spent five years as a player.